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QUESTION 1 of 10

Read the following two texts about zoos.

Text 1: We are more than animals!

How inhumane it is that, over a decade into the 21st century, we still keep wild animals in cages to gawp at for our own amusement? Yes, there may be laws about how much space each animal is allowed; there may even be moves to ‘stimulate’ the animals, providing toys and items to keep them amused. But do they ever get the chance to run as they were designed to do? To hunt? To eat a variety of foods, as they would do in the wild? Do they get chance to choose their own mate? To climb trees? To fly?

As humans, we are more than animals: we have the capacity to think things through, to reason, to show compassion and kindness. This is why we have a responsibility to close zoos and only house wild animals out of their natural habitat in large safari parks. If we cannot provide this environment, then they need to be left in the wild, undisturbed, so they can thrive without human interference.

Text 2: Our job is to care.

As zoo keepers, our job is to care for the animals under our protection. We are highly skilled and trained in catering to their individual needs and requirements and we take our responsibilities very seriously. Many of the animals in zoos are not safe when left in the wild. They are constantly at risk from poachers, climate change has left their habitats in ruins and the rising human population means that they regularly ‘fall out’ with their human neighbours. After all, would you like a giant anaconda or a pride of hungry lions living in your back garden?

For all of these reasons, we have an obligation to take some animals into our care, look after them, provide them with a chance to mate and keep their species alive and educate other people about why it is important to look after our planet and the creatures who live here. If we don’t carry out this vital work, we will lose some animal species - forever.

Now answer the following questions.

In text 1, the writer uses the word 'gawp' to describe how humans look at animals in zoos.

How does choosing this word support his or her argument?Choose three answers.

It is negative, like zoos.

It shows a lack of respect for the animals.

It is fun to gawp and zoos are fun.

It is only done by stupid people, suggesting that people who like zoos are stupid.

It is informal language and is used to create a friendly tone.

In text 2, the writer uses the pronouns 'our' and 'we' throughout his or her argument, even saying "as zoo keepers, our job is to care for the animals under our protection".The readers are not all zoo keepers, so why has the writer chosen to do this? Choose three answers.

It shows that zoo keepers are people just like us.

Because they want all of the readers to become zoo keepers.

It is repetitive to show how boring the job really is.

It makes the reader feel that they are being spoken to as an equal.

It makes us think that their argument must be right if they are so fair and reasonable.

Read this extract from text 1.

But do they ever get the chance to run as they were designed to do? To hunt? To eat a variety of foods, as they would do in the wild? Do they get chance to choose their own mate? To climb up trees? To fly?

Which literary device does the author use here several times?

Text 2 also uses the same device:

After all, would you like a giant anaconda or a pride of hungry lions living in your back garden?

Complete the sentence below by finishing the word:

The writer is trying to add h_______ to the text.

Both of the writers make assumptions. They assume things will always happen in a certain way.

Read this extract from text 1:

If we cannot provide this environment, then they need to be left in the wild, undisturbed, so they can thrive without human interference.

What assumption is being made here? Choose one answer.

That everyone wants to visit zoos.

That animals will always do better in the wild than in zoos.

That there is always enough space for a safari park.

What assumption is being made in this extract from text 2? Choose one answer.

We are highly skilled and trained in catering for their individual needs and requirements and we take our responsibilities very seriously.

That zoo keepers receive a fair wage.

That everyone working in every zoo is highly skilled and responsible.

That being a zoo keeper is a dream job.

The two texts represent two very different points of view. Complete the table below to show which text each statement agrees with.

Text 1

Text 2

zoos are degrading to animals

zoos are useful for breeding endangered species

zoos are inhumane

zoos are run by talented people

zoos provide protection for animals

zoos are unfair

Read this student's work.

Although text 1 has some good points, text 2's emphasis on protecting the animals through conservation in zoos is very powerful and persuasive.

Which of the following conclusions best represents their opinion?

Text 1 is the better argument.

Text 2 is the better argument.

They are both equally persuasive.

Read this student's work.

Text 2 introduces the idea of protecting the animals though keeping them in zoos, but it doesn't address the issues raised so well in text 1 about the unnatural environment of zoos and how little the animals can do.

Which of the following conclusions best represents their opinion?

Text 1 is the better argument.

Text 2 is the better argument.

They are both equally persuasive.

Read this student's work.

Both text 1 and text 2 argue their points in a clear and persuasive way. There are valuable comments on both sides and the argument is very balanced between them.

Which of the following conclusions best represents their opinion?

Text 1 is the better arguement.

Text 2 is the better argument.

They are both equally persuasive.

ANSWERS

Question 1

In text 1, the writer uses the word 'gawp' to describe how humans look at animals in zoos.

How does choosing this word support his or her argument?Choose three answers.

CORRECT ANSWER

It is negative, like zoos.It shows a lack of respect for the animals.It is only done by stupid people, suggesting that people who like zoos are stupid.

EDDIE SAYS

The word gawp is negative, suggesting rudeness, stupidity and a general lack of respect. The writer has chosen it to show that zoos are degrading to animals.

ANSWERS

Question 2

In text 2, the writer uses the pronouns 'our' and 'we' throughout his or her argument, even saying "as zoo keepers, our job is to care for the animals under our protection".The readers are not all zoo keepers, so why has the writer chosen to do this? Choose three answers.

CORRECT ANSWER

It shows that zoo keepers are people just like us.It makes the reader feel that they are being spoken to as an equal.It makes us think that their argument must be right if they are so fair and reasonable.

EDDIE SAYS

Using 'our' and 'we' identifies the reader with the writer so they are more likely to agree with their argument.

ANSWERS

Question 3

Read this extract from text 1.

But do they ever get the chance to run as they were designed to do? To hunt? To eat a variety of foods, as they would do in the wild? Do they get chance to choose their own mate? To climb up trees? To fly?

Which literary device does the author use here several times?

CORRECT ANSWER

rhetorical questionrhetorical questions

ANSWERS

Question 4

Text 2 also uses the same device:

After all, would you like a giant anaconda or a pride of hungry lions living in your back garden?

Complete the sentence below by finishing the word:

The writer is trying to add h_______ to the text.

CORRECT ANSWER

humour

EDDIE SAYS

The writer uses humour to lighten the text and make their argument seem stronger to the reader.

ANSWERS

Question 5

Both of the writers make assumptions. They assume things will always happen in a certain way.

Read this extract from text 1:

If we cannot provide this environment, then they need to be left in the wild, undisturbed, so they can thrive without human interference.

What assumption is being made here? Choose one answer.

CORRECT ANSWER

That animals will always do better in the wild than in zoos.

EDDIE SAYS

The assumption that animals always do better in the wild is countered by the arguments in text 2: animals might need to be in a zoo for the protection of their species.

ANSWERS

Question 6

What assumption is being made in this extract from text 2? Choose one answer.

We are highly skilled and trained in catering for their individual needs and requirements and we take our responsibilities very seriously.

CORRECT ANSWER

That everyone working in every zoo is highly skilled and responsible.

EDDIE SAYS

There is an asumption here that ALL zoo keepers are brilliant at their jobs. In any line of work, there will be some who are and some who are not so good or responsible.

ANSWERS

Question 7

The two texts represent two very different points of view. Complete the table below to show which text each statement agrees with.

CORRECT ANSWER

Text 1

Text 2

zoos are degrading to animals

zoos are useful for breeding endangered species

zoos are inhumane

zoos are run by talented people

zoos provide protection for animals

zoos are unfair

ANSWERS

Question 8

Read this student's work.

Although text 1 has some good points, text 2's emphasis on protecting the animals through conservation in zoos is very powerful and persuasive.

Which of the following conclusions best represents their opinion?

CORRECT ANSWER

Text 2 is the better argument.

ANSWERS

Question 9

Read this student's work.

Text 2 introduces the idea of protecting the animals though keeping them in zoos, but it doesn't address the issues raised so well in text 1 about the unnatural environment of zoos and how little the animals can do.

Which of the following conclusions best represents their opinion?

CORRECT ANSWER

Text 1 is the better argument.

ANSWERS

Question 10

Read this student's work.

Both text 1 and text 2 argue their points in a clear and persuasive way. There are valuable comments on both sides and the argument is very balanced between them.